Easter Vigil

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With the incense burned from the newly blessed fire, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, incenses the "Stone of Anointing," located at the entrance of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher, where, according to tradition, the body of Jesus was anointed and prepared with aromatic oils for burial. March 30, 2024.

‘The mother of all holy vigils’: Jerusalem basilica is first place to announce Easter

Mar 31, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

In the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher, the church of the Lord’s resurrection, the Easter Vigil is held on Saturday... Read more

Pope Francis presides at the Vatican's Easter Vigil, Saturday, March 30, 2024

Pope Francis at Easter Vigil: Christ ‘is the one who brings us from darkness into light’

Mar 30, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

“This is the Pasch of Christ, the revelation of God’s power: the victory of life over death, the triumph of... Read more

Pope Francis speaks at the Vatican's Easter Vigil, March 30, 2024

Full Text: Pope Francis’ homily for Easter Vigil 2024 at the Vatican

Mar 30, 2024

By Pope Francis

The Holy Father delivered the homily late in the evening at the vigil in St. Peter's Basilica. Read more

Pope Francis at the Easter Vigil Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on April 8, 2023.

Full Text: Pope Francis’ homily for Easter Vigil 2023 at the Vatican

Apr 8, 2023

By Pope Francis

"The night is drawing to a close and the first light of dawn is appearing upon the horizon as the... Read more

Pope Francis gives his homily at the Easter Vigil Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on April 8, 2023.

Pope Francis at Easter Vigil: ‘Rediscover the grace of God’s resurrection within you’

Apr 8, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The Easter Vigil, which takes place on Holy Saturday night, “is the greatest and most noble of all solemnities." Read more

Pope Francis at the Easter Vigil Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on April 16, 2022.

Easter Vigil 2022: Full text of Pope Francis’ homily

Apr 16, 2022

By Pope Francis

Here is the full text of Pope Francis' homily for Easter Vigil 2022. Read more

Pope Francis prays at the Easter Vigil Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on April 16, 2022.

Pope Francis at Easter Vigil: The Risen Lord has robbed evil of its power

Apr 16, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis did not preside over the Easter Vigil Mass, but he delivered the homily and baptized seven people. Read more

Pope Francis prays before the Easter fire in St. Peter's Basilica on April 3, 2021.

Full Text: Pope Francis’ homily for Easter Vigil at the Vatican

Apr 3, 2021

Here is the full text of the Easter Vigil homily of Pope Francis, delivered April 3 at St. Peter's Basilica. Read more

Pope Francis lights a candle at the Easter Vigil Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on April 3, 2021.

Pope Francis at Easter Vigil: 'The Risen Lord loves us without limits'

Apr 3, 2021

By Courtney Mares

At Vatican's Easter Vigil Mass, Pope Francis said that Jesus’ love is without limits and always provides the grace to... Read more

'Quomodo sedet sola civitas' - a stripped altar on Holy Thursday 2015 at Mater Dei parish in Irving, Texas.

Vatican updates guidelines for Holy Week liturgies during coronavirus

Mar 25, 2020

By Courtney Mares

After dioceses throughout the world suspended public Masses amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Congregation for Divine Worship has updated its... Read more

Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

Vatican: Easter date can not be changed, despite coronavirus

Mar 20, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican department for liturgy published guidelines Friday for bishops and priests on the celebration of Holy Week, the Triduum,... Read more

A Paschal candle decorated by Robert Faulhaber.

Omaha artist paints one-of-a-kind Paschal candles

Apr 17, 2019

Michelangelo, Rembrandt, and Caravaggio have blessed mankind with stunning works of art. They gave themselves ample space to create: For... Read more

Pope Francis lighting the Easter candle, Easter Vigil 2015.

'Opportunities for conversion' - the liturgies of Holy Week

Mar 28, 2018

By Perry West

Any priest will tell you that Easter Sunday Mass is one of the most highly attended of the year, alongside... Read more

Pope Francis lighting the Easter candle before the entrance procession of the Easter Vigil Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on April 4, 2015.

Christ renews a weary humanity, Pope Francis says at Easter Vigil

Apr 15, 2017

By Elise Harris

During Easter Vigil at the Vatican Pope Francis noted that many people today mirror the sadness and grief of the... Read more

Pope Francis holds the Easter candle during the Easter Vigil April 4, 2015.

If you're looking for the truth, you'll find the Resurrection Pope says

Apr 4, 2015

By Elise Harris

During his homily for the Easter Vigil Pope Francis said that the Resurrection of Jesus is a mystery we can... Read more

Latest news

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee speaks during the signing of the ELVIS Act to Protect Voice & Likeness in Age of AI event at Robert’s Western World on March 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Tennessee names first English-language Bible translation in U.S. as official state book

A member of New South Wales Forensic Police is seen at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in the Sydney suburb of Wakeley, Australia, on April 16, 2024. Hundreds clashed with police in western Sydney on April 15 after Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was stabbed at the altar. New South Wales police have declared the attack a terror event. Police apprehended a 16-year-old in connection with the attack.

‘I forgive whoever has done this’: Australian bishop who survived stabbing speaks out

Credit: Unsplash.

Michigan priest resigns amid dispute over school appearance by ‘openly gay’ author 

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House Republicans call for NCAA ban on biological men in women’s sports

A bishop and a priest exchange the sign of peace during Mass.

Rite of peace is not just a greeting or friendly gesture, nun explains

Chaldean Patriarch Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako presides over the dedication ceremony of the altar of the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Mosul, Iraq. April 5, 2024.

As new altar is consecrated at destroyed Iraq church, former parishioner recalls ‘wonderful days’

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Arizona lawmakers vote to retain law protecting life at conception

Father Benedict Kiely, founder of Nasarean.org, speaks during a panel discussion on Day 2 of The National Conservatism Conference at the Claridge on April 17, 2024, in Brussels, Belgium.

Belgian court overturns ban on conservative conference attended by German cardinal

Caitlin Clark attended Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines, Iowa, where she was coached by Kristin Meyer, who joined “EWTN News Nightly” host Tracy Sabol on April 16, 2024, to share what it has been like for her to watch Clark become a basketball phenom.

Caitlin Clark’s former coach says she ‘tries to maximize her God-given talents’

Anglican nuns from Sisterhood of Saint Mary (photographed with bishops from the Anglican Church of North America's Diocese of the Living Word) are among those suing the state of New York for requiring that they cover abortion in their health plans.

Catholic and Anglican nuns defend religious freedom in New York’s highest court

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Apr 18
Blessed Marie-Anne Blondin
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